American tourist in Germany beaten for performing Nazi salute

Aug 13, 2017

(JTA) — An American tourist in Germany was beaten after making a Nazi salute in Dresden.

The man, 41, was was lightly injured in the incident on Saturday, according to reports. He was heavily intoxicated at the time of the attack, with a blood alcohol level of .276 percent, the German news service Deutsch Welle reported.

Police are searching for his assailant, reportedly a local man, who fled after the attack.

The incident comes a week after two Chinese tourists were arrested in Germany for making the Nazi salute in front of the Reichstag German parliament building. They were released after each posted bail of 500 euros, or nearly $600. If convicted of “using symbols of illegal organizations,” the men face a fine or prison sentence of up to three years.

It is illegal to display symbols of Nazism in Germany. Tourists appear to be unaware of the law, according to local reports.